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Dance TRAPEZE Teacher Trainings

About
The following courses are part of the Born to Fly™ Aerial Teacher Certificate Program.  All who meet the prerequisites are welcome to train with us, and the certificate is optional.

Teaching Philosophy and Methods
Trapeze is one of the original apparatuses in circus arts.  In the 1960's, modern dancers began taking to the air and the single-point dance trapeze was born.   We find that the low dance trapeze is an accessible way to begin an aerial journey, and we spend time on both dance and static trapezes in our Level 1 course.  If you teach very early beginners, we highly recommend taking the Fabric/Sling 0 Teacher Training.  We do allow participants to enter our program at Trapeze Level 1, and Level 0 is not required.

Teaching trapeze requires a clear understanding of the skills, progressions, technique, spotting, diverse learning styles, and classroom management to help students find success.  It’s important to recognize when a student is ready to progress, and then find unique ways for them to engage with level appropriate material. This allows you to reach more learners and to stay fresh in your own teaching over the long haul.  By entering each class with a beginner’s mind, you will learn something new every time you teach.
 
In the Born to Fly™ methodology, we expose our students to aerial theory early on through puzzles, and challenge their artistry through creative tasks.  Our goal is to develop an aerialist’s strength, intelligence, and artistry simultaneously so nothing gets left behind.  We ask students to spend more time with each skill, which allows them to build strength over a longer period of time before progressing to the next level.
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​Dance Trapeze Level 1 Teacher Training
with Rebekah Leach
25 hours 
$1250 (plus purchase of textbooks sold separately)
Training includes a $250 discount to enroll in our certificate program
4 participants max 

When: 
September 9-12, 2020

Location:
​ONLINE (Zoom) OR
Aerial Works
1050 Topeka Way Unit I, Castle Rock, CO 80109
 (303) 578-6456


​Please check our course schedule to see upcoming courses from one or our providers.
Note that providers may have different prerequisites than those listed below. 

​Prerequisites:  
  • One year of experience on trapeze.
  • Must be at an intermediate level (can do basic inversions).  Submit an audition video (see below).
  • Previous experience in teaching is recommended but not required.

Audition Video:  Email video here.
Connect these skills in a sequence in any order:
  • ​Tuck under the bar
  • Knee hang
  • Invert in the rope from sitting on the bar
  • a short beginning trapeze sequence

Required Reading:   Order book below.
Sample Schedule (exact schedule may vary):  
  • Day 1 & 2: 9:30-2:30 pm 4:30-6:30 <7 hours/day>
  • Day 3: 9:30-2:30 pm <5 hours>
  • Day 4: 9:30-3:30 pm <6 hours>
    ​
​What You Will Learn:  This training features a mixture of static and dance trapeze skills inspired by different schools of thought including both circus and aerial dance.  We begin with the low trapeze bar and seated skills that work for beginners of all types.  The course progresses into standing work on the low bar, and then on to hanging skills underneath a mid-height bar.  Sequencing for class planning offers instructors more material to include in their programs.  Proper spotting, cueing techniques, and clear progressions are strongly emphasized.  Clinics include spotting techniques and core engagement progressions, while discussion topics include safety, teaching philosophies, classroom management, creative movement, and an open Q&A.  The training concludes with practice teaching.